Apple tree named ‘MORED’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Malus domestica  apple tree variety named ‘MORED’, particularly characterized by a full red or nearly full red fruit skin; very sweet fruit with little acidity; large, juicy and crispy fruit; a productive tree with a high percentage of well-colored fruits that can be picked at the same time; a mid-season time of maturation; and tolerance to mildew.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Malusdomestica.

Variety denomination: ‘MORED’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Appletree, botanically known as Malus domestica of the Rosaceae family, andhereinafter referred to by the variety denomination ‘MORED’.

The new Malus variety was discovered and selected by the inventor, JozefJan Moors, growing in a cultivated area in 1999 in Bilzen, Belgium. Thenew Malus variety was selected by the inventor based on its highproductivity, its mid-season time of harvest, and its sweet, large,crispy and juicy fruits that possess little acidity and that have a skincolor that is full to nearly full red.

Asexual reproduction of the new Malus variety by grafting onto M9rootstocks was first performed in 2000 in Bilzen, Belgium, and hasdemonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosedfor the new variety are firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction. The new variety asexuallyreproduces true to type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘MORED’ which in combination distinguishthis Apple tree as a new and distinct variety:

-   -   1. full red or nearly full red fruit skin;    -   2. very sweet fruits with little acidity;    -   3. large, juicy and crispy fruits;    -   4. productive tree;    -   5. high percentage of well-colored fruits that can be picked at        the same time;    -   6. mid-season time of maturation;    -   7. tolerance to mildew.

Of the many commercial varieties known to the present inventor, the mostsimilar in comparison to the new Malus variety ‘MORED’ is the Malusvariety ‘Red Delicious’ (not patented), in the following characteristicsdescribed in Table 1:

TABLE 1 Comparison with Similar Variety Comparison Variety New Variety‘RED DELICIOUS’ Characteristic ‘MORED’ (unpatented) Fruit Size LargeLarge Fruit color Full to nearly full red Full deep red Fruit shapeConic to globose-conic Conic to oblong-conic (cylindrical) Fruit tasteSweet with little acidity, Sweet with little acidity, juicy and crispymoderately juicy and not crispy Harvest time End of September to End ofSeptember to early October early October

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Malus variety ‘MORED’ showing the colors as true as is reasonablypossible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of‘MORED’.

FIG. 1 shows a dormant tree of ‘MORED’, in the 6^(th) year afterplanting.

FIG. 2 shows a blooming tree of ‘MORED’ in the 6^(th) year afterplanting.

FIG. 3 shows a fruit-bearing tree of ‘MORED’ in the 5^(th) year afterplanting.

FIG. 4 shows different images of ‘MORED’ in the 6^(th) year afterplanting: inflorescences at early flowering (upper left), inflorescencesat late flowering (upper right), young leaves (lower left) and dormantbuds (lower right).

FIG. 5 shows a close-up view of mature fruit of ‘MORED’ on the tree inthe 5^(th) year after planting.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Malus variety ‘MORED’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype of the new variety may vary withvariations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and daylength without any change in the genotype of the Apple tree.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe trees of ‘MORED’ as grownin the field in Sint-Truiden, Belgium, under conditions which closelyapproximate those generally used in commercial practice.

Trees were spaced 3.0×1.25 m and fertilized with 30 kg/ha of N, 20 kg/haof P₂O₅, 30 kg/ha of K₂O and 50 kg/ha of MgO. The climate is maritimetemperate with an average annual rainfall of 852 mm.

Unless otherwise stated, the detailed botanical description includesobservations, measurements and values based on 6 year old ‘MORED’ treesgrown in Sint-Truiden, Belgium from 2008 to 2013. Quantifiedmeasurements are expressed as an average of measurements taken from anumber of trees of ‘MORED’. The measurements of any individual tree, orany group of trees, of the new variety may vary from the stated average.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), 2007, except where general colors of ordinarysignificance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditionsat approximately 3 pm in Sint-Truiden, Belgium.

All of the trees of ‘MORED’, insofar as they have been observed, havebeen identical in all the characteristics described below.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Malus domestica.        -   Variety denomination.—MORED.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Unknown.        -   Male or pollen parent.—Unknown.-   Propagation: Bench-grafting to M9 rootstocks.-   Growing conditions:    -   -   Light intensities.—Full sunlight.        -   Temperature.—During day, grown in the range of 3° C. to            21° C. (monthly average), and during the night, grow in the            range of −1° C. to 10° C. (monthly average).        -   Fertilization.—30 kg/ha of N, 20 kg/ha of P₂O₅, 30 kg/ha of            K₂O and 50 kg/ha of MgO.        -   Growth regulators.—None.        -   Pruning or trimming requirements.—No specific requirements.-   Tree:    -   -   Age.—Observed trees were 5 to 6 years old.        -   Vigor.—Moderate vigor.        -   Form.—Ramified, spreading.        -   Habit.—A large-sized tree with one trunk and 1 leader; main            branches spreading; crown symmetrical and pyramidal in            shape.        -   Branching habit.—Main branches angle is 80° to 100° with            respect to trunk if allowed to grow naturally.        -   Density.—About 2200 trees/ha.        -   Cropping behavior.—Early onset of production; high            productivity and average to high amount of flowers; tendency            towards biannual bearing if flowers insufficiently thinned.        -   Type of bearing.—On long shoots and spurs.        -   Production (5^(th) year).—About 20 kg/tree.        -   Size at maturity.—Height: About 2.5 m. Spread: About 2.0 m            (at the level of the lower branches).        -   Trunk.—Height (up to the first branches): About 0.70 m.            Diameter: About 40 mm at 20 cm above the graft union.            Texture: Smooth with numerous lenticels, shallow furrows.            Bark color: Primarily RHS 202C with RHS 199A, under bark.            Trunk Lenticels: Length: About 2 mm. Width: About 1 mm.            Color: RHS N199C. Density: About 3.8 per cm².        -   Branches.—Number per tree: About 20. Length: Varies due to            shape of tree; maximum of 70 cm to 100 cm; minimum of 15 cm            to 30 cm. Diameter: About 10 mm to 15 mm. Surface texture:            Smooth. Pubescence: No. Color: Mature (after about 5 years):            RHS 200C. New Growth: RHS 187A. Internode length: About 2 cm            to 5 cm. Internode diameter: About 4 mm to 5 mm. Branch            lenticels: Length: About 1 mm. Width: About 1 mm. Color: RHS            163B. Density: About 8 per cm².        -   Spur.—Present: Yes. Distance between each spur: On the 3 to            5 year old branches, the distance is about 40 mm. Diameter            of each spur: About 8 to 11 mm. Average number of fruit per            fruit-bearing spur: About 1.6.-   Foliage:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Lamina.—Size: Length: About 100 mm (fully expanded leaf).            Width: About 50 mm (fully expanded leaf). Length/width            ratio: 2.0. Overall Shape: Ovate, petiolated. Base shape:            Rounded. Apex shape: Acute. Margin: Serrate. Texture: Upper            surface: Glabrous. Under surface: With weak pubescence.            Attitude in relation to shoot: Outwards. Color (mature            leaves): Upper surface: RHS 136A. Under surface: RHS 137C.            Color (immature leaves): Upper surface: RHS 137A. Under            surface: RHS 137C.        -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Color: RHS 137C.        -   Petiole.—Length: About 30 mm. Diameter: About 2 mm. Texture:            Light pubescence. Color: RHS 137C.        -   Stipule.—Arrangement: Adnate. Length (distance of stipules            from basal attachment of petiole): About 4 mm to 6 mm.            Width: About 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Blooming time.—Full bloom on about April 27^(th) (average            over a 5-year period), similar to ‘Golden Delicious’.        -   Blooming period.—About 12 to 14 days.        -   Fragrance.—Slight to medium.        -   Type.—Cyme.        -   Number of flowers per inflorescence.—About 4 to 6.        -   Inflorescence size.—Diameter: About 8.0 cm. Depth: About 4.7            cm.        -   Buds.—Number per spur: About 1 per spur. Length: About            10 mm. Width: About 5 mm. Texture: fairly strong pubescence.            Color: Apex, RHS 166A and base, RHS 181A. Scales: Number:            About 7 to 10. Color: Upper: RHS 166A. Lower: RHS 181A.        -   Petals (open flower stage).—Arrangement: Intermediate to            overlapping. Number per flower: Five. Size: Length: About            27 mm. Width: About 16 mm. Length/width ratio: 1.69. Overall            shape: Ovate. Apex shape: Obtuse. Base shape: Oblique.            Texture (upper surface): Smooth. Texture (lower surface):            Smooth. Margin: Entire. Color (upper surface): Hue of pink            (RHS 70C) fading to white. Color (lower surface): Streaks of            pink (RHS 70C) on white.        -   Sepals.—Number per flower: Five. Size: Length: About            12.3 mm. Width: About 3.5 mm. Length/width ratio: 3.5.            Overall shape: Triangular. Apex shape: Acute. Base shape:            Truncate. Texture (upper surface): Mild pubescence. Texture            (lower surface): Strong pubescence. Margin: Entire. Color            (upper surface): Apex, RHS 64D, and base, RHS 145A. Color            (lower surface): Apex, RHS 64D, and base, RHS 145A.        -   Pedicel.—Length: 24 to 27 mm. Diameter: 2 to 3 mm. Texture:            Tomentose, color of hairs RHS N155A. Color: RHS 139C.-   Fruit:    -   -   Keeping quality.—The fruit keeps well on the tree. It can be            stored in cold temperature conditions (non-controlled            atmosphere) for up to 4 months without losing firmness and            juiciness. Under ULO (ultra-low oxygen) conditions the fruit            can be stored for at least 10 months. It has a shelf life up            to 10 days without losing firmness and juiciness.        -   Maturity when described.—Ripe for eating.        -   Maturity period after full bloom.—About 152 days after full            bloom on April 27^(th)        -   Date of first and last picking (harvest).—September 25^(th)            and October 5^(th) in Sint-Truiden, Belgium (North            50.77076°, East 5.159966°) in the year 2012.        -   Type.—Pome.        -   General shape.—Conic to oblong-conic.        -   Average weight.—About 222 g.        -   Fruit size.—Average height: About 74 mm. Average diameter            (at widest point): About 79 mm. Position of maximum            diameter: At 53% of height near stem end. Height/thickness            ratio: 0.94.        -   Stem.—Length: About 27 mm. Diameter: About 2 mm. Color: RHS            N77A.        -   Stalk cavity.—Depth: About 18 mm. Width: About 35 mm.        -   Eye basin.—Depth: About 11 mm. Width: About 28 mm. Crowning            at calyx end: Moderate. Position of sepals: Half-closed.        -   Skin.—Thickness: Thin. Texture: Smooth. Bloom: Faint.            Greasiness: Absent. Firmness (at picking time): 7.5 to 8.5            kg/cm². Over color Color: RHS 53A. Percentage of skin            surface with overcolor color: About 80 to 100%. Pattern of            overcolor: Solid flush. Intensity of over color: High.            Ground color: RHS 2C. Skin Lenticels: Length: About 1 mm.            Width: About 1 mm. Color: RHS N155D. Density: About 8 per            cm².        -   Flesh.—Color: RHS 2D. Texture: Fine, crispy and juicy.            Aroma: Faint. Eating quality: Very good with very high level            of sugar and low level of acids. Sugar content (at picking            time): 14 to 16° Brix. Starch content (at picking time): 6-7            (iodine index). Acidity (at picking time): 1.5 to 2.4 g/l.            Core: Symmetry of core: Symmetrical. Distinctness of core            lines: Faint. Locules: Number (per fruit): 5. Length: About            14 mm. Width: About 10 mm. Form: Partly open.-   Seeds:    -   -   Number per fruit.—About 3 to 10.        -   Number per locule.—About 1 to 2.        -   Shape.—Ellipsoid and pointed.        -   Length.—About 8 mm.        -   Width.—About 5 mm.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—RHS 165A.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Androecium.—Stamen: Number per flower: 20. Length: About 5            to 8 mm. Color: RHS 8C. Anther: Length: About 2.5 mm. Color:            RHS 8C. Filaments: Length: About 3 to 5 mm. Color: RHS 157B.            Pollen: Amount: Moderate. Color: RHS 8C. Pollinators            Requirements: Good pollinators are, for example, ‘Golden            Delicious’ and ‘Golden Gem’.        -   Gynoecium.—Pistils: Quantity: 5. Length: About 7 mm. Color:            RHS 145A. Stigmas: Length: About 0.5 mm. Width: About 0.5 to            1 mm. Color: RHS 145A. Ovary: Length: About 4 mm. Width:            About 3 mm. Color: RHS 53C.-   Use: Fresh market.-   Disease/pest resistance: Low susceptibility for apple canker    (Neonectria galligena), tolerance to mildew (Podosphaera    leucotricha) and Gloeosporium rot.-   Disease/pest susceptibility: Susceptible to apple scab (Venturia    inequalis).-   Winter hardiness: Tolerant to temperatures down to −20° C. without    observed damage to wood and buds of dormant apple trees.-   Drought/heat tolerance: Tolerant to temperatures up to minimal 35°    C., growth is limited by drought periods without irrigation.-   Shipping/storage characteristics: Low sensitivity to bruising. Fruit    can be stored in cold temperature conditions (non-controlled    atmosphere) for up to 4 months without losing firmness and    juiciness. Under ULO (ultra-low oxygen) conditions the fruit can be    stored for at least 10 months.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Malusdomestica apple tree named ‘MORED’, as illustrated and described herein.